Near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Second Division

Third Corps

—Army of the Potomac —

By Craig Swain, June 28, 2008

1. Second Division Tablet

The diamond symbol of the Federal III Corps appears at the top of the tablet.

Inscription.

Army of the PotomacThird CorpsSecond DivisionBrigadier General Andrew A. Humphreys

July 1. This Division was at Emmitsburg. Shortly after 3 p.m. marched by indirect route about two miles west of main road to Gettysburg, leaving Burling's Brigade.

July 2. Arrived at 1 a.m., and massed on Cemetery Ridge, between Birney's Division on the left and the 2d Corps. Burling's Brigade rejoined between 2 and 3 p.m. formed line of battle along the Emmitsburg Road to resist attack on Union left. its right opposite the left of Caldwell's Division, 2d. Corps. Its left joining Birney's Division. Carr's Brigade on the right, Brewster's Brigade massed on the left centre, Burling's Brigade in reserve until sent to General Birney. The Confederates made demonstrations on this Division front which remained in position after the 5th. and 6th. Corps had arrived on the Union left. Until about 6.30 p.m., when McLaws' Division follwoing the Confederate oblique order of battle. Broke Birney's line at the Peach Orchard uncovering the left of Humphreys, who changed front to connect with 2d. and 5th Corps troops in the Wheatfield. That line enfiladed by the enemy. Fell back across Plum Run while Humprheys outflanked by McLaws' Division and pressed by Anderson's Division Hill's Corps, gradually retired to Cemetery Ridge,

Location. 39° 48.088′ N, 77° 14.995′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. Marker is at the intersection of Wheatfield Road and Emmitsburg Road (Business U.S. 15), on the right when traveling east on Wheatfield Road. Click for map. Located near stop 10, the Peach Orchard, on the driving tour of Gettysburg National Military Park. Marker is in this post office area: Gettysburg PA 17325, United States of America.

Looking from the Longstreet Observation Tower to the east. The Peach Orchard, and the tablet location, is just out of frame to the right. The red barn in the center right is the Sherfy Farm. Running behind the barn is the Emmitsburg Road. Further to the north along the road is the Klingle Farm. The Millersburg Road runs from the lower left toward the Emmitsburg Road, crossing near the Peach Orchard. When first deployed, Humphreys posted Brewster's Brigade just north (left) of the Sherfy Farm. Carr's Brigade extended the line along the Emmitsburg Road beyond that to the north, about where the last stand of trees appears along the road. Graham's Brigade, of First Division, III Corps, was posted between the Sherfy Farm and the Peach Orchard. The Confederate brigades of Barksdale and Wofford advanced across the open fields in the foreground to assault the Peach Orchard salient.

Also see . . . 1. The Peach Orchard. National Park Service virtual tour stop. (Submitted on October 26, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

2. Report of Brig. Gen. Andrew A. Humphreys. At the end of his summary of the events from July 2, Humphreys wrote:It was now near dusk, and the contest for the day was closed. Its severity may be judged by the fact that the loss in killed, wounded, and missing of my division, 5,000 strong, was 2,088, of whom 171 were officers and 1,917 enlisted men. The missing numbered 3 officers and 263 enlisted men, the greater part of whom were probably wounded; some were killed.(Submitted on October 26, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Credits. This page originally submitted on , by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,185 times since then and 119 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on , by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on , by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on , by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016.